Police say Texas officer's killer likely gunned down 2nd man

This photo provided by the Collin County Sheriff's Office in McKinney, Texas, shows Brandon De McCall, who was charged Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, with capital murder of a peace officer. McCall is suspected of fatally shooting an officer as police responded to a disturbance call at an apartment complex late Wednesday in Richardson, Texas. He barricaded himself for hours before surrendering early Thursday. (Collin County Sheriff's Office via AP)
February 8, 2018

DAVID WARREN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS — A gunman who fatally wounded a suburban Dallas police officer likely killed a second man before barricading himself in an apartment and randomly firing his weapon during the standoff, authorities said Thursday.

It's believed that Brandon De McCall, 26, fatally shot an acquaintance at an apartment complex in Richardson on Wednesday evening, according to officials. Responding officers found the body of Rene Gamez, 30, on a landing and then went to a nearby apartment where they encountered McCall.

Officer David Sherrard, 37, was shot as he entered the apartment. He fell back out of the apartment and was pulled away by other officers, according to Richardson police Chief Jim Spivey. Sherrard, a married father of two daughters, later died at a hospital.

Sherrard is the first to die on duty in the 63-year history of the Richardson department, Spivey said during a news conference.

McCall eventually surrendered to police early Thursday and was taken into custody. Witnesses said McCall repeatedly shouted "I'm sorry" as he was being led away.

He was being held Thursday at the Collin County jail on a charge of capital murder of a peace officer. Online jail records don't indicate an attorney for him.

It's believed McCall shot Gamez but the investigation is continuing, Plano police spokesman David Tilley said. Police in Plano, which borders Richardson, are leading the investigation.

Gamez lived in the apartment where McCall barricaded himself and the two knew one another, but the extent of their relationship wasn't clear Thursday, according to Tilley.

Collin County court records show McCall has been arrested at least once before by Richardson police, in 2016 on a drug possession charge. Police in nearby Garland arrested him in 2009 on a charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle and again the following year on a drug possession charge, The Dallas Morning News reported.

A Dallas police report says he was taken to a mental health facility last year after threatening to jump off a bridge and telling officers that he wanted to be taken to a doctor and "put to sleep permanently," according to KTVT-TV in Dallas.

A Richardson police cruiser served as a makeshift memorial for Sherrard with people leaving flowers and other items Thursday.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott offered his condolences on Twitter.

"The hearts and soul of Texas mourn with you. Your loss is a loss to all law enforcement and everyone in our great state," the governor said.